Inferences and Conclusions — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The store shelves were almost empty and a long line wrapped around the building, so the store must be unpopular.
Corrected: The store shelves were almost empty and a long line wrapped around the building, so the store must be having a big sale.
Empty shelves and a long line of shoppers suggest high demand, which points to a big sale rather than the store being unpopular.
2. Fix the sentence:
Maria kept looking at her phone and tapping her foot, so she must be relaxed and calm.
Corrected: Maria kept looking at her phone and tapping her foot, so she must be anxious or waiting for something.
Repeatedly checking a phone and tapping a foot are signs of impatience or nervousness, not relaxation, so Maria is likely anxious or waiting for something.
3. Fix the sentence:
The firefighters rushed to put on their gear and jumped on the truck, so they must be going on vacation.
Corrected: The firefighters rushed to put on their gear and jumped on the truck, so they must be responding to an emergency.
Firefighters rushing to gear up and jumping on the truck signals an emergency call, not a vacation, because that is what firefighters do when someone needs help.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. An author gives hints instead of stating ideas directly so readers must think carefully.
Authors often drop hints instead of spelling everything out, which encourages readers to think carefully and figure out the meaning on their own.
2. If a character smiles and waves at everyone she meets, you can infer she is friendly.
Smiling and waving at everyone are warm, welcoming actions that show a character is friendly and enjoys being around other people.
3. To draw a strong conclusion, you should look for more than one piece of evidence.
One detail alone can be misleading, so gathering multiple pieces of evidence makes a conclusion stronger and more trustworthy.
4. Reading between the lines means understanding ideas the author did not directly say.
"Reading between the lines" means catching ideas the author hinted at but did not directly state, using clues in the text to figure out the hidden meaning.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. A story says: "Carlos carried an umbrella even though the sun was shining when he left home." What can you infer about Carlos?
Sample answer: Carlos probably checked the weather forecast and knows rain is expected later, so he brought the umbrella to be prepared.
A good answer includes: Carlos probably checked the weather forecast and knows rain is expected later, so he brought the umbrella to be prepared.
2. How can paying attention to a character's dialogue help you make an inference?
Sample answer: A character's words reveal feelings and intentions that the author may not state directly, so dialogue gives clues about what the character is thinking.
A good answer includes: A character's words reveal feelings and intentions that the author may not state directly, so dialogue gives clues about what the character is thinking.